Method of making slide fasteners



April 23, 1963 G. R. STONE 3,086,246

METHOD 01 MAKING SLIDE FASTENERS Filed March 3, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR. GEORGE E. STONE A 770 ENE) April ,1963 e. R. STONE 3,086,246

METHOD OF MAKING SLIDE FASTENERS Filed March 3, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T3 Ft La 20 Z wC O-ZS INVENTOR. Ci EORG E R. STONE Unitecl StatesPatent O3,986,246 7 METIIGD OF MAKING SLIDE FASTENERS George R. Stone,Meadville, Pa, assignor to Talon, Inc-, a corporation of PennsylvaniaFiled Mar. 3, 1961, Set. No. 93,088 12 Claims. (Cl. 18-475) as toprovide a continuous coiled filament or otherwise deformed so as toprovide interlocking scoop formations therealong. The formed filament isattached to the edge of a stringer tape usually by sewing to completethe stringer. It is to such a preformed continuous coil type of fastenerthat the present invention relates.

In the practice of the present invention, the fastener is formedpreferably from a continuous length plastic tubular member or from astrip of plastic material folded upon itself so as to provide two plies.One edge of the tubular member or folded material is slotted at spacedapart intervals along one edge thereof with the material then spread byinserting a suitable wedge-like tool in the slots so as to provide aseries of spaced apart scoop forming portions which are deformed so asto provide interlocking means thereon. The opposite edge is alsopreferably "similarly slotted at spaced apart intervals and the matefrial also spread at the slots so as to provide means for attaching theformed tubular member or strip to the edge of -a suitable stringer tape,preferably by stitching so as to provide a slide fastener stringer. Thestringers are then cut to the desired length and interlocked with anopposed companion stringer and a slider assembled thereon so as toprovide a complete slide fastener in a manner well known to thoseskilled in the art.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method of makinga plastic slide fastener which is not only simple and inexpensive in itsfabrication and con- .struction, but at the same time, efficient andeffective in its use.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new method ofmaking a plastic slide fastener which is i strong and rugged and onewhich can be conveniently attached to the stringer tape.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will be moreapparent in the course of the following specification, and will beparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown for the purpose ofillustration, an embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged schematic view showing diagrammatically the toolsfor making a fastening device in accordance with the present invention,

FIG. 2' is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a slide fastener made fromstringers according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a completed slide fastener showing a slidermounted thereon,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4; "FIG. 6 is across sectional view of another embodiment of my invention showing acollapsed or flattened elongated tubular member,

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of still another embodiment showing anelongated folded strip which may be 3,986,246 Patented Apr. 23, 1963used for making a fastening device in accordance with the presentinvention,

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a fastening device made from thestrip, as shown in FIG. 7, showing how it may be attached to a stringertape, and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1,the various steps performed on an elongated or tubular member forforming a fastening device in accordance with the present invention.There is shown in this figure for the purpose of illustration, anelongated or continuous tubular member 2 substantially oval shape incross section, but it will be understood that it may be an elongatedmember having a cross section such as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 of thedrawings and the same steps are performed thereon as a tubular memberwhich will presently be described. In such an elongated or tubularmember, there is provided opposed spaced-apart side walls 3 and edge orend walls 4 and 5 so as to provide a continuous circumferential wall.This elongated tubular member is preferably made from nylon, perlon orany other suitable plastic material, including rubber.

The first step in the practice of the present invention, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, is the cutting of transversely extending slots 6 and 7 inthe edge or end wall portions 4 and 5 on either side of the tubularmember 2. These slots extend from the outer edges 4 and 5 to a pointintermediate the width of the tubular member and the slots on one sideare staggered relative to the slots on the opposite side. These slotsare cut preferably, as illustrated, by means of a pair of circular sawsS with one arranged at each side of the tubular member but it will beunderstood that any other suitable means may be employed for cuttingthese slots.

The next step is to widen or expand these slots 6 and 7 on either sideof the tubular so as to provide widened or expanded slots 6a and 7a,respectively. These slots may be widened or expanded by any suitabletools, such as wedge-like reciprocating tools W. As a result of thiswidening or expanding step it will be understood that there is providedhead portions 8 on one side of the tubular member and attaching portions9 on th opposite side thereof. Thus, it will be seen that as a result ofthis step the length of the tubular is extended or expanded, and thatthere is provided on one side thereof, a series of spaced-apart headportions 8 and on the opposite side a series of spaced-apart loop-likeattaching portions 9 with both the head portions and attaching portionsbeing successively interconnected by means of the diagonally disposedportion 12.

In the next step, in the practice of the present invention, the headportions 8 are deformed or upset preferably by means of a tool D incooperation with an opposed wedge-like tool C so as to provideinterlocking projections 13 on each of head portions on both the upperand lower sides thereof. It will be understood that these interlockingprojections 13 are adapted to cooperate with and engage behindcorresponding interlocking projections on the head portions of anopposed or companion fastening device so as to interlock the same in amanner well known to those skilled in the art.

After the tubular or elongated member has been formed as above describedthey may be attached to a stringer tape T or any other flexible carrierso as to provide a completed slide fastener stringer. In the embodimentjust described the loop-like attaching portions 9 may be attached orstitched to the edge of a tape T by means of threads or stitching 14, asshown in FIGS. 3 and 5 of the drawings, or they may be stitched to theside thereof.

In FIG. 6 of the drawings there is shown a modification of the presentinvention, in which the elongated member from which the fastening deviceis formed from a collapsed tube 29 so as to provide a continuouscircumferential wall having substantially fiat superimposed side walls2-1 and 22 and edge or end walls 23. Such an elongated member is formedinto a fastening device in substantially the same manner as thatdescribed for the tubular member 2. Likewise, this type of fasteningdevice may be attached to the edge of the tape in the same manner asthat formed from the tubular member.

In FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 there is shown still another embodiment of theinvention in which the elongated member is shown as a sheet or strip ofmaterial 24- folded upon itself so as to provide side walls 25 and 26interconnected by an edge or end wall 27. In this construction the freeedges may straddle the edge of the tape and sewn thereto, as shown inFEGS. 8 and 9, or they may be disposed in superimposed relation and sewnas at 28 or otherwise suitably attached to one side of the tape at theedge thereof.

It Will be understood that after the stringers have been fabricated aspreviously described, two opposed stringers of the desired length areinterlocked substantially as shown in FIG. 3, and a slider and top andbottom stops assembled thereon, if desired, so as to provide a completeslide fastener, in a well known manner, as shown in FIG. 4 of thedrawings.

As a result of my invention, it will be seen that there is provided anew and improved plastic slide fastener stringer which may beinexpensively fabricated with the simplest of tools and at a minimumcost. It will also be seen that the interlocking means on the headportions provide an extremely strong interlock whereby a relativelystrong fastener results.

While I have shown and described an embodiment which my invention mayassume in practice, it will be understood that this embodiment is merelyfor th purpose of illustration and description, and that other forms maybe devised within the scope of my invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. The method of making a continuous fastening device of the typeadapted to interlock with a continuous companion fastening device whichcomprises providing an elongated member having a pair of opposed wallportions interconnected at least along one edge thereof, forming aseries of spaced-apart transversely extending slots in at least one sideof said elongated member, each of said slots extending from the edge ofsaid member to a point intermediate the width thereof, forcing a toolinto each of said slots so as to widen and expand the same so as toprovide a series of spaced-apart interlocking head portions, and finallydeforming the material of each of said head portions adjacent the endthereof so as to provide an inter-locking portion on each of said headportions.

2. The method of making a stringer for slide fasteners of the classdescribed which comprises providing an elon- Jgated member having a pairof opposed wall portions interconnected at least along one edge thereof,forming a series of spaced-apart transversely extending slots in atleast one side of said elongated member, each of said slots extendingfrom the edge of said elongated member to a point intermediate the widththereof, forcing a tool into each of said slots so as to widen andexpand the same so .as to provide a series of spaced-apart interlockinghead portions, deforming the material of each of said head portionsadjacent the end thereof so as to provide an interlocking portion oneach of said head portions, and finally atfixing the opposite edgeportion of said elongated member to the edge of a stringer tape.

3. The method of making a continuous fastening device of the typeadapted to interlock with a continuous companion fastening evice whichcomprises providing an elongated member having a pair of opposed wallportions interconnected at least along one edge thereof, forming aseries of spaced-apart transversely extending slots 7 in the oppositesides of said elongated member, the slots on one side being staggeredrelative to those on the opposite side, each of said slots extendingfrom the edge of said elongated member to a point intermediate the widththereof, forcing a tool into each of said slots on each side of saidmember so as to Widen and expand the same so as to provide a series ofspaced-apart interlocking head portions on one side of said elongatedmember and a series of similar spaced-apart attaching portions on theopposite side thereof, and finally deforming the material of each ofsaid head portions adjacent the end thereof so as to provide aninterlocking portion on each of said head portions.

4. The method of making a stringer for slide fasteners of the classdescribed which comprises providing an elongated member having a pair ofopposed wall portions interconnected at least along one edge thereof,forming a series of spaced-apart transversely extending slots in theopposite sides of said elongated member, the slots on one side beingstaggered relative to those on the opposite side, each of said slotsextending from the edge of said elongated member to a point intermediatethe width thereof, forcing a tool into each of said slots on each sideof said member so as to widen and expand the same so as to provide aseries of spaced-apart interlocking head portions on one side of saidelongated member and a series of similar spaced-apart attaching portionson the opposite side thereof, deforming the material of each of saidhead portions adjacent the end thereof so as to provide an interlockingportion on each of said head portions, and finally affixing theattaching portions to the edge of a stringer tape.

5. The method of making a continuous fastening device of the typeadapted to interlock with a continuous companion fastening device whichcomprises providing an elongated member having a continuouscircumferential wall so as to provide a pair of opposed wall portionsinterconnected at each edge, forming a series of spacedaparttransversely extending slots in at least one side of said elongatedmember, each of said slots extending from the edge of said member to apoint intermediate the width thereof, forcing a tool into each of saidslots so as to Widen and expand the same so as to provide a series ofspaced-apart interlocking head portions, and finally deforming thematerial of each of said head portion adjacent the end thereof so as toprovide an inter-locking portion on each of said head portions.

6. The method of making a stringer for slide fasteners of the classdescribed which comprises providing an elongated member having acontinuous circumferential wall so as to provide a pair of opposed wallportions interconnected at each edge, forming a series of spaced-aparttransversely extending slots in at least one side of said elongatedmember, each of said slots extending from the edge of said member to apoint intermediate the width thereof, forcing a tool into each of saidslots so as to widen and expand the same so as to provide a series ofspaced-apart interlocking head portions, deforming the material of eachof said head portions adjacent the end thereof so as to provide aninter-locking portion on each of said head portions, and finallyaffixing the opposite edge portion of said elongated member to the edgeof a stringer ta e.

7. The method of making a continuous fastening device of the typeadapted to interlock With a continuous companion fastening device whichcomprises providing an elongated member having a continuouscircumferential wall so as to provide a pair of opposed wall portionsinterconnected at each edge, forming a series of spaced-aparttransversely extending slots in the opposite sides of said elongatedmember, the slots on one side being staggered relative to those on theopposite side, each of said slots extending from the peripheral edge ofsaid elongated member to a point intermediate the width thereof, forcinga tool into each of said slots on each side of said member so as towiden and expand the same so as to provide a series of spaced-apartinterlocking head portions on one side of said tubular member and aseries of similar spacedapart attaching portions on the opposite sidethereof, and finally deforming the material of each of said headportions adjacent the end thereof so as to provide an interlockingportion on each of said head portions.

8. The method of making a stringer for slide fasteners of the classdescribed which comprises providing an elongated member having acontinuous circumferential wall so as to provide a pair of opposed wallportions interconnected at each edge, forming a series of spaced-aparttransversely extending slots in the opposite sides of said elongatedmember, the slots on one side being staggered relative to those on theopposite side, each of said slots extending from the edge of saidelongated member to a point intermediate the width thereof, forcing atool into each of said slots on each side of said elongated member so asto Widen and expand the same so as to provide a series of spaced-apartinterlocking head portions on one side of said elongated member and aseries of similar spaced-apart attaching portions on the opposite sidethereof, deforming the material of each of said head portions adjacentthe end thereof so as to provide an interlocking portion on each of saidhead portions, and finally affixing the attaching portions to the edgeof a stringer tape.

9. The method of making a continuous fastening device of the typeadapted to interlock with a continuous companion fastening device whichcomprises Providing a tubular member, forming a series of spaced-aparttransversely extending slots in at least one side of said tubularmember, each of said slots extending from the peripheral edge ofsaidtubular member to a point intermediate the width thereof, forcing a toolinto each of said slots so as to widen and expand the same so as toprovide a series of spaced-apart interlocking head portions, and finallydeforming the material of each of said head portions adjacent the endthereof so as to provide an interlocking portion on each of said headportions.

1-0. The method of making a continuous fastening device of a typeadapted to interlock with a continuous companion fastening device whichcomprises providing a tubular member, forming a series of spaced-aparttransversely extending slots in the opposite sides of said tubularmember, the slots on one side being staggered relative to those on theopposite side, each of said slots extending from the peripheral edge ofsaid tubular member to a point intermediate the width thereof, forcing atool into each of said slots on each side of said tubular member so asto widen and expand the same so as to provide a series of spaced-apartinterlocking head portions on one side of said tubular member and aseries of similar spaced-apart attaching portions on the opposite sidethereof, and finally deforming the material of each of said headportions adjacent the end thereof so as to provide an interlockingportion on each of said head portions.

11. The method of making a stringer for slide fasteners of the classdescribed which comprises providing a tubular member, forming a seriesof spaced-apart transversely extending slots in at least one side ofsaid tubular member, each of said slots extending from the peripheraledge of said tubular member to a point intermediate the width thereof,forcing a tool into each of said slots so as to widen and expand thesame so as to provide a series of spaced-apart interlocking headportions, deforming the material of each of said head portions adjacentthe end thereof so as to provide an interlocking portion on each of saidhead portions, and finally affixing the opposite edge portion of saidtubular member to the edge of a stringer tape.

12. The method of making a stringer for slide fasteners of the classdescribed which comprises providing a tubular member, forming a seriesof spaced-apart transversely extending slots in the opposite sides ofsaid tubular member, the slots on one side being staggered relative tothose on the opposite side, each of said slots extending from theperipheral edge of said tubular member to a point intermediate the widththereof, forcing a tool into each of said slots on each side of saidtubular member so as to widen and expand the same so as to provide aseries of spaced-apart inter-looking head portions on one side of saidtubular member and a series of similar spaced-apart attaching portionson the opposite side thereof, deforming the material of each of saidhead portions adjacent the end thereof so as to provide an interlockingportion on each of said head portions, and finally aflixing theattaching portions to the edge of a stringer tape.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSDittrnayer Mar. 10*, 1959

1. THE METHOD OF MAKING A CONTINUOUS FASTENING DEVICE OF THE TYPEADAPTED TO INTERLOCK WITH A CONTINUOUS COMPANION FASTENING DEVICE WHICHCOMPRISES PROVIDING AN ELONGATED MEMBER HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSED WALLPORTIONS INTERCONNECTED AT LEAST ALONG ONE EDGE THEREOF, FORMING ASERIES OF SPACED-APART TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING SLOTS IN AT LEAST ONE SIDEOF SAID ELONGATED MEMBER, EACH OF SAID SLOTS EXTENDING FROM THE EDGE OFSAID MEMBER TO A POINT INTERMEDIATE THE WIDTH THEREOF, FORCING A TOOLINTO EACH OF SAID SLOTS SO AS TO WIDEN AND EXPAND THE SAME SO AS TOPROVIDE A SERIES OF SPACED-APART INTERLOCKING HEAD PORTIONS, AND FINALLYDEFORMING THE MATERIAL OF EACH OF SAID HEAD PORTIONS ADJACENT THE ENDTHEREOF SO AS TO PROVIDE AN INTER-LOCKING PORTION ON EACH OF SAID HEADPORTIONS.